Netanyahu’s pledge to attack Rafah; NY Times report questioned again – Day 207
Israel planning ring of checkpoints to prevent men from fleeing Rafah, source says
Middle East Eye reports: Israel is reportedly setting up a complex system of checkpoints that will prevent men of “military age” from fleeing Rafah in preparation for its offensive on the southern Gaza border city, a senior western official familiar with Israel’s military plans has told Middle East Eye on condition of anonymity.
The checkpoints are designed to allow some women and children to leave Rafah ahead of an expected Israeli offensive, but unarmed, civilian Palestinian men will likely be separated from their families and remain trapped in Rafah during the assault.
The previously unreported disclosure of Israel’s construction of a ring of checkpoints around Rafah underscores how Israel is pushing ahead with plans to attack the city where over one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering in tents and makeshift camps.
“Israel considers every male a Hamas fighter until proven otherwise,” Abbas Dahouk, a former senior military advisor at the State Department and military attache in the Middle East told Middle East Eye.
‘Incremental progress’ in humanitarian aid in Gaza, but not enough, says Guterres
The UN chief says the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza has seen some “incremental progress”, but more is “urgently needed”.
“A major obstacle to distributing aid across Gaza is the lack of security for humanitarians and the people we serve. Humanitarian convoys, facilities and personnel, and people in need must not be targets,” he said.
“We welcome aid delivery by air and sea, but there is no alternative to land routes,” he continued.
“I again call on the Israeli authorities to allow and facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and humanitarian workers, including [UN Palestinian refugee agency] UNRWA, throughout Gaza.”
After 6 months, aid is only just above half of the aid Gaza used to receive before the war. Now, as Israel has destroyed farmland and food processing facilities all over Gaza, the need is much greater.
Lazzarini: More food available in northern Gaza, but still not accessible
UNRWA chief Lazzarini says there is more food on offer at markets in northern Gaza after an increase in supply in April. However, these supplies are still far from accessible to most people who have no cash left to spend nearly seven months into the war, he said.
Lazzarini also noted that UNRWA officials on the ground in Gaza describe residents as experiencing a constant state of trauma due to ongoing military attacks, hunger and overall deteriorating conditions.
“We are not talking any more about PTSD, but CTSD: Constant traumatic stress disorder,” Lazzarini said.
NOTE: Israel has on multiple occasions firedat individuals waiting for food aid (recentlykilling over 100 at one time), at least once allegedly sending fake text messages to Gazans, telling them to assemble and then shooting at them when they did; Israel has also attacked food aid convoys and those who accompanied them several times. Additionally, Israeli citizens have blocked a border crossing for weeks with no meaningful attempt by Israel to reopen it.
In mid-March, Israel promised to “flood” Gaza with aid, but has failed to do so.
Israel hampers Gaza field hospitals by providing insufficient sites
Designated plots are either too small or are inhabited by displaced Palestinians encouraged to settle there by Israeli authorities, say regional sources
‘It is obvious that those Palestinians had been pushed to those areas by Israel to disrupt the construction of the field hospital’
Another case suggests that Israel may have deliberately prevented the construction of field hospitals in Gaza.
Boycott: KFC Malaysia temporarily shutters outlets
Reuters reports: The KFC restaurant chain has temporarily closed outlets in Malaysia, citing challenging economic conditions, as local media reported that the closings were because of boycotts over its links to Israel.
Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and some Western fast-food brands in the country, as in some other Muslim nations, have been targeted by boycott campaigns over Israel’s war on Gaza.
The statement did not address the media reports.
It did not specify how many stores were affected, but local media reported more than 100 outlets were temporarily closed.
Information on an app helping people boycott brands supporting Israel is here.
China facilitates Hamas-Fatah efforts at reconciliation
Reuters reports: Rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah have expressed the will to seek reconciliation through dialogue at unity talks in Beijing, China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
The two factions have not managed to heal political disputes since Hamas fighters expelled Fatah from the Gaza Strip in a short war in 2007.
“The Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and Islamic Resistance Group (Hamas) representatives arrived in Beijing a few days ago for in-depth and candid dialogue,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular briefing.
“They agreed to continue the course of talks to achieve the realization of Palestinian solidarity and unity at an early date.”
“In conclusion, both sides affirmed the continuation of consultations and working towards achieving Palestinian national unity, with China ready to provide all necessary support.”
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